Did you know there’s a completely free tool from Google with unlimited usage that’s really good at generating images - especially thumbnails with correct text? I use this for my own NZ-based YouTube channel and it’s been a game changer. The typical problem with tools like ChatGPT is getting accurate text in images. Letters often have incorrect spelling or blend together. Google’s ImageFX solves this problem.
Getting Started with ImageFX
All you need is a Google account. Head to ImageFX from Google Labs, sign in, and you’re ready to go. You can type in your prompt, adjust style settings, and change the aspect ratio. One advantage over ChatGPT is that ImageFX generates four different image options at once.
The Problem with Basic Prompts
Simple prompts like “generate me a thumbnail for a YouTube video about AI agents” can be hit or miss. The results might include unwanted elements like large play buttons or completely muddled compositions. The quality varies significantly with basic prompts.
The AI-Prompting-AI Trick
Here’s the shortcut: use AI to prompt itself. Ask ChatGPT or Gemini to write a detailed prompt for an image generation tool, specifying that it’s for a YouTube thumbnail about your topic. The AI will provide a detailed prompt with specific visual directions - colour themes, layout descriptions, and style guidance.
Copy and paste that prompt into ImageFX and the results come out significantly better on the first try. The AI-generated prompt provides the level of detail that ImageFX needs to produce professional-looking thumbnails.
Working with Text
ImageFX handles text much better than most AI image generators, but it can still be inconsistent. A practical workflow is:
- Generate thumbnails without text or with minimal text
- Download the best result
- Add your title text in Canva or another editor where you have full control
This gives you the best of both worlds - AI-generated visuals with manually placed, pixel-perfect text.
Speed and Cost
Each generation takes about 2 seconds, it’s completely free with unlimited usage, and you can keep regenerating until you find something you like. For content creators on a budget, this is an incredibly valuable tool.
